Homeland Security committee member things freedom of the press in the U.S. is growing tiresome

What do President Barack Obama (D) and Rep. Peter King (R- N.Y.) have in common? They are none too happy about the sources and the journalists involved in the publication of secrets on the NSA snooping on Americans.

Actually, if they willing knew that this was classified information, I think action should be taken, especially on something of this magnitude. I know that the whole issue of leaks has been gone into over the last month. I think something on this magnitude, there is an obligation, both moral but also legal, I believe, against a reporter disclosing something which would so severely compromise national security.

President Obama's Attorney General Eric Holder has reportedly carried out campaigns to spy on a Fox News reporter who was involved in the publication of leaked intelligence details on North Korea. In that case, AG Holder signed early documents suggesting that the journalist -- James Rosen -- was considered a "co-conspirator" to the leaker and could face criminal charges. The effort to charge the journalists was ultimately dropped as the investigation proceeded, but drew substantial criticism.

The Obama administration has charged more than twice as many whistleblowers with Espionage Act (18 U.S.C. § 792) offenses as all the previous administrations before him (since the Act was passed in 1917) combined. But he's only been able to do that thanks to support of the practices by members of Congress, including House Republicans like Rep. King.

II. FBI Works Towards Charging Whistleblower

News of the long rumoredNSA spying -- funded by Barack Obama's "big data" spending program -- broke last week. Details of two programs -- a narrow, more aggressive program dubbed PRISM and a broad, ubiquitous unnamed phone records seizure program leaked. According to the Obama administration the PRISM effort involved the seizure of email and chat records, but was meant to target suspected terrorists -- most foreigners -- and was limited to a small number of individuals.

By contrast the phone records seizure tracked the majority of U.S. citizens -- including those who never communicated with a foreigner and never were suspected of committing a crime. The Obama administration sought to downplay this spying saying it was "only metadata". However, that "metadata" contained records of who you talked to and when, plus tracked the locations of citizens on a daily basis.

Both programs were authorized under the Oct. 2001 USA PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act.

The FBI is drafting chargers against the leaker, and possibly journalists.
[Image Source: Alamy]

On Sunday, the leaker outed himself as Edward Snowden, a former contractor for the NSA who worked at Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp (BAH). Rep. King was among the first to call on him to be charged. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is rumored be currently drafting up those charges. Mr. Snowden is rumored to be holed up at a safe house in Hong Kong.

quote: But to be monitoring on this level is inexcusable , even if it did help, and it doesnt.

Bro, you need to realize that they can't really monitor people. They can only target specific individuals because of the scale. Almost all the time, it's not because you popped up on the filter. It's usually because you were reported by someone or they are investigating someone else and you were found to be working with those individuals.

Just think about it. I've been posting all kinds of stuff here and there from a federal computer(every single one is constantly monitored) and I have not received anything. None of you here posting all kinds of anti government crap have ever received a phone call or knock from the FBI/CIA have you? That's because they are not monitoring you. They have the potential to but it doesn't mean they are. Even if you were reported, chances are you are not even going to be investigated. Someone will glance at what was reported and determine you to be another antigovernment person practicing your free speech.

Ya, I am well aware of the limitations and the way they use it and its still not right. There is a process for this, if they have reason to suspect someone, they get a warrant and pull their cell internet or whatever other records. Now they can just pull anything they want on anyone. That goes against the very foundation of this country. It's complete and total BS. Our govt is getting out of control.

You have an irrational fear. Your free speech is protected. Your privacy is protected.

You do realize that almost all cases starts because someone reported you and the evidence is certified to be credible? not just a couple things but a whole list of criteria.

The reason why some antigovernment organizations are investigated or monitored is because many people reported them. There are plenty of organizations here in DC that have no problems with any type of authorities. The authorities even help them protest if they choose to do it peacefully.

quote: That goes against the very foundation of this country.

Sure if you say so but that's your opinion. You can vote on it just like I can. All i can tell you is times has changed. Technology has changed. People have changed. Enemies and their methods have changed. Warfare have changed. Everything have changed drastically

quote: It's complete and total BS. Our govt is getting out of control.

I can name you at least 20 countries with governments out of control. We are saints compared to them. Even the beloved EU, like what most people here like to compare to, is worse than we are. Privacy, taxes, rights? they actually have less.

I've met and worked with people around the world. The vast majority of them would prefer the US over theirs. The ones that prefer their country better simply because they grew up there and that's their home. Every single exchange student, contractors, and visitors I've met have mentioned how much more freedom and tolerance we have here. I went to civilized countries like Germany where some restaurants still refused to serve me because of my skin. You gotta visit the real world outside of the tourist spots.

"Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be." -- Steve Ballmer